Bolles High School- Everything lived up to the hype when the Bolles Bulldogs hosted the Columbia Tigers in what proved to be a complete thriller from beginning to end. Both teams entering into the game had a record of 7-2 and needing a win for a potential playoff spot. They both played like it as well. When you know you have something to play for; when it’s in your heritage, you play at your best. And these two storied programs gave their best. Bolles came out firing on all cylinders, yet it didn’t take long before Columbia to respond. And just when Bolles thought they had the game in hand, Columbia put more points on the board. When the smoke settled, in an overtime craze, Bolles pulled out the victory via a field goal after a crucial interception, with a final score of 44-41.
Big INT in OT by Wale Onasanya! #FGSetUp @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/z9IL0N12BM
— BJ Jones (@sportcaster90) November 4, 2017
Both offenses did a great job the entire game with the run game and making throws when needed. Although Columbia scored first with a receiving touchdown by TJ Jones, that didn’t dissolve the fight in Bolles in the least. James Omlor was perhaps the best running back of the night for Bolles as he ran with authority and shed several tacklers all night. He just could not be brought to the ground after contact. It was truly amazing to see the amount of yards he gained after contact. Jayden Mccloud made a huge reception for a big gain in the first quarter setting up his own touchdown from a short distance. Chris Sanders (Josiah Johnson/ Chris Sanders connection) got in on the action as well as he had a huge receiving touchdown in the second quarter. This was the point you thought Bolles was trying to start running away with it, but one important person that I’m sure Bolles never wants to see again arose, and that is sophomore Kylen Callum.
This guy deserves his own paragraph people. He single handedly almost won the game for Columbia. Each time the ball was in his hands, something magical happened and fear struck Bolles fans all at the same time. Time after time, there were massive gains on the ground as he cut and shifted making defenders miss. He will be something special for Columbia in the coming years. This young man scored a total of 24 points for the Tigers in the game accounting for 59% of the Tigers points scored as a team. That’s amazing. He also provided the touchdown score that allowed for the 2 pt conversion to tie the game. He could not be stopped.
Quarterback Josiah Johnson for Bolles had a great night as well, making decisions and runs when he needed to. What was impressive about the Senior is he definitely was not afraid of contact when forced to scramble. The recent UMASS commit put his body on the line to gain crucial yards for his team.
Both defenses were solid on the night. The pressure was on the quarterbacks to make good decisions and make plays on both sides. Bolles enjoyed some good penetration of the Columbia offense line more often. Bolles won the turnover battle which truly made the difference in the game. It even won the game for Bolles in overtime. Columbia had some costly turnovers notably two interceptions caught by Bolles Bryson Kirksey during regulation. One of those turnovers ended a possible scoring drive for Columbia before the half and the other in the second quarter that lead to a field goal by Bolles. The last turnover by Columbia caught by Bolles defender Wale Onasanya in overtime essentially won the game for Bolles as they set up for the field goal to win the game.
Two more well deserved mentions include Darian McQuay a kick returner for Columbia, who was an absolute beast in returning the ball. Columbia remained in good field position for most of the night. Also Brandon Scott, linebacker for the Columbia defense was a terror for Quarterbacks Josiah Johnson and Ben Netting. He was a heavy hitter and found himself around the ball early and often.
It was a remarkable effort by Bolles facing a playoff atmosphere and a tough Columbia team with lots of young talent. Their playmakers in the end showed why they have such a winning tradition, and again a winning record in 2017. The Bulldogs finished the regular season 8-2 and await their fate by the selection committee. Columbia finishes 7-3 also awaits a decision on who they will play as the runner up in their district .
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